Wildfire Bills Get Governor’s Signature

CORTEZ, Colo. (AP) – Wildfire prevention measures passed after Colorado’s tragic wildfire season last year have been signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The governor signed the bills at Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez.

One of the bills puts new curbs on prescribed burns on state forest land. The safeguards include a new requirement that people tend the fire as long as it’s burning, along with a requirement that nearby residents are alerted to planned burns.

The other bill gives the governor more flexibility to send money to fight wildfires in an emergency.

Six people died in three major wildfires last year.

Hickenlooper also had a list of economic development bills he signed into law at locations across southwestern Colorado.